Roll-film camera



Nov, 177 i942, H. KUPPENBENDER Erm. 2,301,956

RGLLFILM CAMERA Filed May si, 1940 7 sheets-sheet 1 Nov. 17, 1942. H. KUPPENBENDER Erm- 2,301,956

ROLLF ILM CAMERA Filed May 3l, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 .LW 0 wa a n wim ,.k l

NV 17 1942 H. KUPPz-:NBl-:NDER Erm. 2,301,956

RoLLFlLM CAMERA Filed Ma'y s1. 1940 7 sheets-sheet s Nov. 17, 1942.

H. KUPPENBENDER ErAL ROLLFILM CAMERA 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 3l, 1940 Nov. 17, 1942. H. KUPPENBENDER rs1-AL 2,301,956

ROLLFLM CAMERA Filed May '51, 1940 7 sheets-sheet 5 N0v 17, 1942- H. KUPPENBENDER ETAL ROLLFILM CAMERA 7 Sheets-Sheet G Filed May s1, 1.9 40

Nov. 17, 1942. H. KUPPENENm-:R Erm'. 2,301,956

ROLLFILM CAMERA Filed May 31, 1940 fr sheets-,sheet fr i l l Ptented Novo 17,

tlNlTED STATES 2,301,956 ROLL-FILM CAMERA Heinz Kppenbender,

Ernst Rall, Stuttgart,

Dresden, Eugen Jrg and and Heinrich Jacob, Ber..

lin-Zehlendorf, Germany; vested in the Alien Property Custodian implication May 31, 1940, Serial No. 337,960 En Germany February 2, 1939 11 Claims.

Titre invention relates to improvements in rollliim comerse and particularly is directed to twin iene mirror reflex cameras.

The eicel object of the invention is to provisie rolL- cameras of 'the type in which the roili'ilm is seeking strip with e, film advancing device which eliminates the observation of the numbers on the peper strip through e colored window usually arranged in the removeble or hinged rear cover of the corriere casingA Anritlrer ceject of tue invention is to provide the rclllm camere, with e, manually cctuatable crunk handle which not only operates e, ',lm ecivenclng means but else en exposure counting mechenism, tire letter beine; operative only wl-ien tice rear cover of the camera is closed.

it is another object of the invention to provide the rolllrn camere with an emosure counting mechanism which is automatically disconnected from the @im edvenclne; means enel returns to its stertiug position citer the entire rolllm llas been exposed curl the operation .1e 1 zn ecb *fencing means is continue-d wind the trailing enel of tite Decking upon tice film teneurs scoot is also en tice "on to ercvlde the corners, 'with ed means which unen actuation of solei manuell? actuel-table trundle sdvences tire trim automatically e :distance equal the length one picture treme, regsrdless of the increasing diameter oi the film on tire tekent; spool.

Anette-.er object ci the invention is to provide the iim sdvericing means ci the rcilfilm camere. with s reversible ratchet device which .insures eitvaigs e complete ilrn advancing movement of the manually ectuedtelcie crank handle so that is impossible to advance titte next picture frame of the i'llm only partially into exposure position, the seme re'tci'let device is effective to insure c complete return movement ci manually ucu tustoble handle to its initial position after the film hss been oclvonced one complete picture treme.

Still another object ci the invention is to pron viele u roll camere., with menus tor locking the ,llm advancing ineens after the advance of one picture ci ln end/the provision of means for preventingthe release of said iocking means until the shutter of the camera has been actuuted to expose the `illrn.

A particular object of the invention is to provide the rolllm camera with means for locking the film advancing means after each advance of @vided "with or attached to a paper one picture frame of the film, said locking means being controlled by the shutter tensioning lever which prevents an `actuation of said lrn advancing means until the shutter has been tensloned 5 and released again, said locking means in the position in which it permits an actuation of the film advancing means being effective to prevent operation of the shutter release member. Another object of the invention is to provide it the rollillm camera with means Which automaticelly maintains the alternate locking means cetvveen the film advancing means and the shutter operating ineens inoperative until the customary leader of the rollfllm is Wound upon the lm teke- 5 up spool.,

'it is szlso en object o the invention to provide the rolllm cerner-e, with means for automatically disconnecting seid slternete locking "means new tween the lm advancing means sind the shutter operating means citer the entire rolliilm lies been exposed, so that the trailing end oi the peper melting strip of the lm may be Wound upon the eske-up spool Without the necessity ot ectuatlug the shutter during ythis operation.

@ther objects of tire invention will be apparent will be speciceily pointed out in the description forming en part of this specification, tout 'the invention is not limited to the embodiments leeres in described, as various other terms may be it adopted. within the scope of the claims.

in the drawings:

Fig; i is e. rear view of the rollfilm camere with the separate rear cover removed and with e, ilm in a. position ready for being advanced upon closing of the rear coverB Figs. 2, il and 4 are side elevation views of the camera, with the side wall covering the operative ports omitted and each. showingV the exposure counter and its associated parts in a diiferent i0 position.

Fig.' 5 is e front elevation view et the camere, with the cover for the objective carrier omitted. Figs. 7 and 8 ore side elevation views of the camera and illustrate each in 'e different position "5 en alternately acting locking device arranged between the film advancing means, shutter tension-1 ing means end shutter release means.

Figs. 9 and 10 ore iront elevation views of e somewhat modiled construction of a rolllm camera and illustrate the locking device between the lm advancing means and the shutter in e position when the shutter is released and tensioned respectively. i

Fig. 11 illustrates more or less diagrammatically a side elevation View of the camera-the side wall being omitted again for the sake of clearness-to show the particular drive connection between the manually operable crank handle and the lm take-up spool, which 'driving connection insures a uniform advance of the film, regardless of the increasing diameter of the film wound upon the take-up spool.

Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 16 illustrate in an enlarged scale and in different operating positions the details of the device which insures a uniform advancement of the film.

Fig. 15 illustrates an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line XV-XV of Fig. 11.

Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate each in a side view v the alternately effective ratchet device for the film advancing means when the rear cover of the camera is closed and in open position respectively.

Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate each in a side view a locking-device for the film advancing means, which locking device is controlled by the position of the rear cover of the camera; Fig. 19 shows the rear cover closed and Fig. 20 shows the rear cover partially open.

Figs. 21 and 22 illustrate each in a side view the upper portion of the camera and particularly a device which is controlled by the rear cover and influences the operation of the exposure counter; Fig. 21 shows the rear cover particularly open and Fig. 22 shows the rear cover closed.

Fig. 23 illustrates in a side view similar to the Figs. 21 and 22 the complete camera with the exposure counter in a position when the last picture frame of the film has been moved in the focal plane of the camera objective, and

Fig. 24 illustrates in an enlarged view the particular construction of the crank handle of the camera.

Referring to Fig. 1, the camera casing contains a removable film take-up spool I I) and also a removable film supply spool I2, the first one of which is adapted to be rotated in one direction by a crank handle 4. On both sides of the illm guide I3 and adjacent the picture window I4 there are provided the markings 8. I'he film I 5 has printed on the leading end of its visible line 28, which in vment is provided with an arrow at each end pointed toward the markings 8. The crank handle 4 is mounted on a shaft 4a which also has mounted thereon a cam I5 (Figs. 2 to 4) provided with a shoulder I1 which is adapted to engage a projection 69 on a locking lever 3 pivotally supported between its ends by a pin I8 and subjected to the action of a spring I9. A pin 20 on the locking lever 3 engages the lower end of a control lever 2 which is pivotally supported between its ends at 2I. A spring 22 attached to the control lever 2 at a point above its pivot axis normally tends to rotate the control lever 2 in clockwise direction. A projection 23 near` the upper end of the control lever 2 engages the circumference of a cam I -provided the control lever 2 is not held inoperative by a pawl 58, as shown in Fig. 4 for a purpose which will be explained later-which is provided with gear teeth I l on a portion of its circumference. The gear teeth I'L mesh with a gear 24 on the shaft 25b of the exposure counter 25, which latter is actuated simultaneously with the film advancing means by the crank handle 4 in a manner described later. It will be obvious that the cam I, which is provided with a shoulder I I, will be rotated whenever the gear 24 is rotated during an actuation of the crank handle 4 which advances the lm. The

exposure counter 25 consists of a circular disc provided with a dial having a red or other mark 25, which corresponds to the line mark 28 on the illm backing strip, and with numbers 1 to 12, each indicating the film frame which is in exposure position. A suitable pointer 28 is attached to the camera casing opposite the indicating numerals on tb u dial.

The uppei end of the control lever 2 ls connected by a pin and slot connection 2 with one end of a link 5 which is pivotally supported between its ends at 2l. The other end of the link 5 is pivotally connected to a horizontally extending rod 5 which is adapted to enter an aperture l* in the manually operable shutter release member 'I which is mounted on the camera body and is locked against operation when the rod 4 has been moved into the aperture l".

When a rollfllm is to be loaded and threaded into the camera the leading end of the customary paper strip backing is wound upon the take-up spool I Il until the printed line 2l is in alinement with the two opposite marks 8 onthe film guide I3 of the camera casing. This adjustment of the film takes place while the camera casing is open. This being done, the rear cover of the camera is applied or closed and hereby the exposure counter 25, which is disconnected from the crank handle 4 when the rear cover is open, is automatically connected with the crank handle 4 in a manner as will be described hereinafter. When the camera is closed the pointer 26 wlllbe opposite the red mark 25* on the dial. The crank handle 4 is now operated to execute a number of strokes until the number 1 on the dial is opposite the pointer 26, indicating that the first picture frame of the film covers the window I 4 or in other words is in the focal plane of the camera, ready for an exposure. At the same time the first picture frame of the film moves into exposure position the cam I is rotated in the direction of the arrow P (Fig. 2), owing to the engagement of the gear 24 with the gear teeth I, and as soon as the pointer 26 is opposite the number 1 the projection 23 on the control lever 2 slips off the high point of the cam I and comes to lie under the shoulder I I as shown in Fig. 3. This causes the control lever 2 to move about its pivot axis 2| in the direction of the arrow Q (Fig. 3), so that the lever 3 is moved with its end having the projection 69 thereon toward the cam I6 on the shaft 4*. When the crank handle 4 has been returned to its initial position, as illustrated in the Figs. 1 to 4, the projection S9 engages the shoulder I'I and prevents a repeated action of the crank handle 4 l until the lever 3 is moved out of its locking position illustrated in Fig. 3. The just described actuation of the control lever 2 also causes an operation of the link 5 which withdraws the rod 6 from the aperture 1, thus unlocking the shutter release member 1 and the latter is free to be operated. Upon an actuation of the shutter release member 1, which causes the rst film section to be exposed, the outwardly projecting end of the locking lever 3 is actuated by a member of the shutter so as to rotate anti-clockwise into a position indicated in Fig. 2. The crank handle 4 can now be rotated again in clockwise direction to advance the second frame of the film into the window I4 and hereby actuates the exposure counter 25 in the same manner as before. It is of advantage if especial marks-not shown-are provided near the picture window I4 said marks being visible from outside the closed camera, for instance by means of windows in the rear cover,

for the purpose of indicating i! the camera is loaded with roll film or not.

According to Fig. 5 a lever 29 is pivotally supported between its ends at 29* on the front wall of the camera casing, so as to extend with one of its ends into the path of the shutter release lever 38 on the shutter casing. The other end of the lever 29 rests against that end of the locking lever 3 which projects outwardly from the camera casing (Figs. 6 to 8). In this instance, the inner end of the locking lever 3 has in addition to the projection 68, which cooperates with the cam i6, a second projection 89" for controlling a spring influenced holding pawl 3l. The cam I6 is provided with a laterally extending pin 32 which is adapted to engage the free end of the pawl 3l. Furtherfore, a lever 33 is lpivotally attached with one end to the side wall of the camera casing and has between its ends a laterally bent lug 33EL which rests loosely on the upper half of the circumference of the cam t spring 33h pulls the lever 33 downwardly in constant engagement with the cam i6. The free end or" the lever 33 projects outwardly through the front wall of the camera casing and is operatively connected with a vertically sus-- pendecl oar t which is mounted for lengthwise sliding movement on the camera iront wail. The lower end of the bar St is operatively connected with e. radial projection 35 (Figs. 5 and 6) on a ring 35S which is freely rotatable about the ari-s of the photographic objective and is normally urged by a. spring (its in anti-clockwise direction. Elie projection 35 when moved in the direction oi the arrow B is adapted to engage and actuate a projection it on the shutter tensioning ring of the photographic shutter Si which in the present case is constructed in the forni of a so called central shutter.

When the shutter 3l' has been released directly by actuating the lever 3B or indirectly by actuat ing the shutter release rnerober l1 and during its release 'has caused the camera objective to expose the film section in the vf/indov 5S the crank handle l will be tree to advance the iilrn to the neat picture. This is done by rotating the crank handle t in clockwise direction (Eties. S and '7) about 130. During this rotation the earn raises the lever 33, which in turn raises the bar' 3K3 so that the projection 3 is moved clockwise (sie. in.

The slruter is provided with a. locking device (not shown) built into the shutter housing; this device allows new release only ar'ter the shutter is tensloned for the next exposure.

The projection upon engaging the projection on the shutter tensioning ring moves the latter into a position in which the shutter ill is tensioned. The shutter release lever 38 or the release member i may now again be actuated to release the shutter by rotating the lever 38 the direction of the arrow C in Fi. 5. Upon an actuation ci the shutter release lever 33 the lever i@ unlocks the locking lever 3 from the cam it, so that the crank handle t is again tree to be actuated to advance the film.- The holding lever 3l, however, lniaz'u'itains the locking lever 3 out of engagement with the cam (Figs. 6 and 7) until the nlm advance is completed and the shut ter is tensioned, whereupon the pin 33 on the cam i6 at the end of the stroke of the crank lever il engages the free end ci the holding lever 3i and moves the latter anti-clockwise a suiilcient distance that the projection SliL of the locking lever 3 vis freed. Owing to the spring acting on the locking lever 3, the latter will then be moved in engagement with the circumference of the cam Ii and when the crank handle 4 has been returned to its initial position (Fig. 8) the projection 69 will engage the shoulder i1 and thereby the crank handle is again locked against operation t wind up the nlm.

In the en." iment of the invention as illustrated in the Figs. 9 and 10 thelever 29 of the Figs. 5 to 8 is subsituted by a lever 38 one end of which is positioned in the path of movement of a radial arm 40h on a ring 40 which is rotatable about the axis of the alined shutter 31 and photographic objective. The other end of the lever 39, as in the other case, is engaged by the locking lever 3. Another radial arm 40 on the ring (l0 is connected to a tension spring ll and also is adapted to be locked to one arm 42 of a spring-actuated bell crank lever pivotally mounted on the camera casing. The other arm 42 of the bell crank lever extends into the path of movement of a radial projection 36* on the shutter tensioning ring.

When the film is advanced by operating the crank handle il the lever 33 and the bar 34 rotate the radial projection 35 clockwise, thereby engaging the projection 36 on the shutter tensioning ring and moving the latter into a posin tion in which the shutter 31 is tensioned. During this tensioning movement the radial projection te on the shutter tensioning ring engages a radial arm 40 on the ring ill and moves the latter clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 9 to the position shown in Fig. l0. Hereby the spring ll is tensioned, and the radial arm (lila is locked to the arm of the bell crank lever.

Upon a release or the shutter, which isv accomplishecl by moving the shutter release lever or the release member in the direction oi the arrow (Fig. lo) tne shutter tensioning ring returns to its initial position illustrated in Fig. tl at the end of the shutter release movement. During the return 'movement of the shutter tern sierung ring the projection 35a ot the latter engages and actuates the'arni of the bell crank lever, so that the latter releases the arm (ille, which under the action of the spring ill returns to its initial position shown in -Fig. il. @tiring this return movement of the arm til and the ring Ll@ the radial arm tlil' on the latter actuates the lever il@ which in turn moves the locking lever 3 out ci locking engagement with the cam GS, so that the crank handle t is free to advance the film. it will be noted that the locking device between the shutter release means and the nlm advancing means is `unlocked by elements coming into action during the release movement of the shutter.

Referring now to the Figs. 1l to 16, which illus- 'trate particularly the means for insuring a uniform advancement oi the iilm during each operating rstroke oi the crank handle l, it will be noted from Fig. il'that upon an actuation of the crank handle la gear d3 on the shaft t! oi the handle l drives a gear :lll meshing with a gear 45, the latter being provided with a lateral projection t5 (Figs. l2 to 15) adapted to engage a radial projection $1 on the circumference of a casing fit loosely rotatable about the axis of the gear il and containing a 'free-wheeling mechanism. When the lateral projection 46 of the gear t5 engages the radial projection 81 of the casing t8 and pushes the same in a clockwise direction a spring influenced pawl t9, pivotally mounted on the radial projection t1. hooks itself to the lateral projection 46 as may be observed from Fig. 12. Shortly before the end of the stroke of the crank handle 4 a second pawl 50 (Figs. 13 and 14) which is also pivotally mounted on the radial projection 41, engages a ratchet wheel 16 of the exposure counter 25 and moves the same one step or one tooth. A holding pawl I (Fig. 16) prevents a return movement of the ratchet wheel 16, which, as will be described hereinafter in connection with the Figs. 21 to 23, tends to return to its initial position under the influence of a return spring (not shown). When the exposure counter 25 is advanced in this manner to the next number a gear 16* on the axis 25b of the counter 25 is likewise rotated and advances a gear segment 53, on which' a laterally extending stop 52 is provided, one step in clockwise direction (Figs. 12 to 16), The gear segment 53 is loosely rotatable about the axis of the gear 45. When the crank handle 4 is returned to its initial position the gears 43, 44 and 45, of course, are caused to rotate in the opposite direction as herebefore, `and during this return movement the lateral projection 46 on the gear 45, owing to its latched engagement with the pawl 48, rotates the casing 48 rearwardly, that is anti-clockwise, until the projection 54 on the pawl 49 engages the stop 52 on the gear segment 53 (Fig. 12) whereby the pawl 49 is released from the projection 46 so that from this point on the crank handle 4 and its associated gearing 43, 44 and 45 return alone to their starting position. During the time the casing 48 is rotated clockwise by the lateral projection 46 the casing 48 by means of the clamping rollers 55 (Fig. 13), is coupled to a rotary member 59, which is arranged coaxially with the casingx48. 'I'he member 59 has a gear 56 attached thereto which by means of the gears 51 and 58 is drivingly connected with th'e film take-up spool I0 (Figs. 11 and 15). During the return movement of the casing 48, however, the rollers 55 are ineffective and the parts 59,y 58, 51 and 58 remain in the position they have been moved by the casing 48. Since the stop 52 is advanced a certain predetermined amount in clockwise direction during each advancement of the film by the crank handle 4, it follows that the lateral projection 46 engages the radial projection 41 at a different in clockwise direction more advanced point during each successive operation of the crank handle. This has the result that the angular rotation of the casing 48 and therewith the angular rotative wind-up movement of the film take-up spool I0 will be less each time one exposure has been made. The difference between each successive angular rotation is such as to compensate for the increasing diameter of the amount of the film wound upon the takeup spool, so that always the same length of film is advanced during each film advancing stroke of the crank handle 4.

According to the Figs. 17 and 18 a pin 62 is slidably mounted in the bottom wall 60 of the camera casing and when the rectangularly shaped rear cover 6I of the camera is closed the pin 62 is moved inwardly as shown in Fig. 17. The inner end of the pin 62 engages a pivotally mounted lever 63 and pushes the same upwardly against the action of a spring 3U. A pin 64 on the lever 63 moves an alternately acting ratchet device 66, which is tiltably mounted at 65, in

engagement with the gear 43 on the crank handle 4. The ratchet device 66 is rendered inoperative when the rear cover 6| of the camera is opened (Fig. 18), but is automatically rendered operative when the rear cover 6| is closed and prevents a reverse movement of the crank handle 4 until the movement in forward -or rearward direction has been completed, thus insuring always a complete advancement of the next film section and a complete tensioning of the shutter respectively.

In order to limit the return movement of the crank handle 4 the cam I6 is provided with a second laterally extending pin 10 (see Fig. 8) which is adapted to engage a stationary stop member 1I in the camera casing. This pin 18 and stop member 1I are shown only in Fig. 6 in order not to make the other figures too complicated.

Furthermore, the crank handle 4 is not rigidly connected with the cam I6, but by means of a circular leaf spring 12 as illustrated in Fig. 24..

One end 13 of the spring 12 is attached to the hub portion of the crank handle 4 and the other end 14 is attached to the cam I6. A return spring 15 (Figs, 6 to 8) tends to return the crank handle 4 to its normal approximately vertical position. During the return movement of the crank handle 4 it may move, owing to the circular leaf spring 12, a small distance beyond its starting position as is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 24, which is desirable so that the locking lever 3 has suiiicient time to drop with its projection 68 behind the shoulder I1. If desired. the circular leaf spring 12 may be substituted by any other means which permits the crank handle 4 to move a fraction beyond its starting position. It is, for instance, possible to mount the pin 10 yieldingly or provide a stop member 1| which is resilient,

. After the entire roll film is exposed it is necessary that the trailing end oi the paper backing strip be wound upon the take-up spool III before the camera can be opened for the removal of the exposed roll film. During the winding of the trailing end of the film it is, of course, required that the locking device for the crank handle 4 be released, while it is desirable that the shutter be locked against release. In this respect, the present invention, according to Figs. 2 to 4 provides the control lever 2 near its upper end with a projection 61 adapted to be engaged by a pawl 68 which is pivotally attached to the camera casing and subjected to the action of a spring 10. When the last section of the film is exposed, at which time the exposure counter 25 indicates 12, the crank handle 4 is again actuated to advance the film. In doing this the counter 26 moves beyond the numeral l2 and the cam engages by means of the projection` Ib the control lever 2 to rotate the same anti-clockwise somewhat beyond its normal starting position (Fig. 4), so that the pawl 68 engages the projection 61 and prevents a return movement of the control lever 2 and therewith an engagement of the locking lever 3 with the cam I6. In this position the crank handle 4 can be actuated until the trailing end of the flm has been wound upon the take-up spool III. During this operation the shutter release member 1 is locked against release by the rod 6 which extends into the aperture 1*. In order to release the pawl 66 when the rear cover 6I of the camera is closed after being loaded with a new roll film, the said pawl is provided with a projection 68* cooperating with a lug 24 on the exposure counter disc 25 in such a manner that the pawl becomes disengaged from the projection 61 of the lever 2 when theexposure 4the camera casing. When the counter 25 is rotated from the red mark 25'l to the number i of the dial opposite to the pointer 26.

The previously mentioned rear cover controlled lever 63 and the pin 64 thereon are also used according to Figs. 19 and 20, for moving the locking lever 3 into operative position with respect to the cam i6, if the locking lever 3 is not rendered ineffective by the above described means which function after the release of the shutter, so as to permit a further advance of the nlm a distance equal to one frame. When the rear cover` 6| is opened, to remove an exposed roll nlm and to insert a new roll iilm, the pin 62, owing to the lever 63 which is urged downwardly by the spring 36, is pushed so far outwardly that the projection 69 on the locking lever 3 is moved away from the shoulder |1 on the cam I6, so that the cam |6 can be rotated.

According to the Figs. 2l t0 23 the ratchet wheel 146 is mounted on the axis of the exposure counter 25 and is adapted to be engaged by a spring influenced holding pawl 11 which is pivotally mounted in the camera casing,

A return spring (not shown) is attached with one of its ends to the axis of the counter 25 and with its other end is anchored to the camera casing 68. The holding pawl 11 is provided with a laterally extending pin 18 adapted to engage with recesses 19 and 80 in a spring-influenced catch pawl 8| which is pivotally attached at 82 t a slide 83. The slide 83 is guided for hori- Zontal rectilinear movement in the camera vcasing and has a rearwardly extending pin 84 adapted to be engaged by the rear cover 6| when the same is closed. A spring 85 which surrounds the pin 84 urges the slide 83 rearwardly 'so as to lift the holding pawl 11 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 16 as soon as the rear cover 6| is opened. According to Fig. 23 the holding pawl 11 has pivotally attached thereto at 11 a link 86 in such a position that the free end of the same may engage a stop pin 81 on the ratchet wheel 16. The catch pawl 8| is also provided in rear of the recesses 19, 8|) with an inclined face 88 which is adapted to engage a projection 69 on rear cover 6| of the camera casing is opened the slide 83 with the catch pawl 8| thereon is moved toward the left under the actionof the spring 85 (Fig. 21). The result is that the holding pawl 11 is lifted out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 16, since the pin 18 lies in the recess 80. The exposure counter 2511s now released and returns under the action of the return spring into its starting position illustrated in Fig. 2. In order to prevent a rotation of the exposure counter beyond a predetermined point further than the number l2 of the dial after the last picture, namely No. 12, has been taken, the stop pin 81 engages at this predetermined point the link 86 and upon a further rotation of the ratchet wheel 16 the holding pawl 11 is lifted out of the ratchet wheel 16, whereby the pin 18 is moved into the recess 18 of the catch pawl 8|. This has also the result that the ratchet wheel 16 is released so as to permit the exposure counter 25 to return to its initial position, regardless of any additional stroke of the crank handle 4 which may be necessary to wind the trailing and of the nlm backing paper strip upon the take-up spool l0.

When the film is completely wound upon the take-up spool I0 and then thevrear cover 6| is opened, the spring 85 moves the slide 83 and therewith catch pawl 8| toward the left, lthus said rotatable handle causing the catch pawl 8| Ato be raised when its inclined face 88 slides along the projection 89 The pin 18 will drop from recess 16 into the recess of the catch pawl 8| and upon a subsequent closing of the rear cover 6| the holding pawl 11 Will again properly engage the ratchet wheel 16 and the latter will be moved step by step toactuate the counter 25 during each film advancing stroke of the crank handle t.

What we claim as our invention is:

l. In a photographic camera for rollfilm having a paper backing, the combination with a camera casing having film guiding means with indicat-s ing marks thereon and a separate rear cover, of indicating means on the rear face of the leading end of the 'paper backing of the rolllm for adjusting the latter to a predetermined position in the camera by bringing said indicating marks in alinement with said indicating means before said rear cover is closed, a film take-up spooi, manually operable means including a gearing for rotating said film take-up spool in one direction, an exposure counter, means for operatively connecting'said gearing with said exposure counter, for operating the latter when said take-up spool is rotated by said manually operable means,means automatically setting said exposure counter to a predetermined position corresponding with the predetermined position for the lm, andmeans controlled by the cover for releasing the automatic means when the cover is open and for restraining said automatic means when the cover is closed, said cover controlled means rendering said operative connecting means operate said exposure counter when said rear cover is closed and rendering said operative connection inoperative as soon as said rear cover is opened, said predetermined position of the coun-J ter being maintained until the cover is closed and the iilm Wound.

2. In a photographic camera for rollillm having a paper backing, in combination, a camera. casing having film guiding means for supporting `the lm in the focal plane of the camera, a'

separate rear cover for said camera casing, marks on said film guiding means with which an indicating mark on the rear face of the leading end of the paper backing of the film is adapted to be brought in alinement while the said rear cover is open, a manually rotatable handle for rotating a nlm take-up spool in the camera casing in one direction, a rotatable exposure counter, means including a gearing for operatively connecting with said exposure counter, to operate the latter by said handle when the nlm take-up spool is rotated means automatically setting said exposure counter to a predetermined position corresponding with the predetermined position for the nlm, means controlled by the cover for releasing said automatic means when the cover is open and for restraining said automatic means when the cover is closed, said cover controlled means rendering said operative connecting means operative to operate said exposure counter when said rear cover is closed and rendering said operative connecting means inoperative when said rear cover is opened said predetermined position of the counter beingmaintained until the cover is closed and the film wound.

3. In a photographi camera for rolllm having a paper backing, the combination with a camera casing having nlm guiding means with indicating marks thereon and a separate rear cover, of indicating means on the rear face of operative to the leading end of the paper backing of the rollnlm for adjusting the latter to a predetermined position in the camera by bringing said indicating marks in alinement with said indicating means before said rear cover is closed, a nlm take-up spool, a manually rotatable handle and a gearing connected therewith for rotating said nlm takeup spool in one direction, a rotatable exposure counter, means for operatively connecting said gearing with said exposure counter for operating the latter when said take-up spool is rotated by said manually rotatable handle, means automatically setting said exposure counter to a predetermined position corresponding with the predetermined position for the nlm, means controlled by the cover for releasing the automatic means when the cover is open and for restraining said automatic means when the cover is closed, said cover controlled means rendering said operative connecting means operative to operate said exposure counter when said rear cover is closed and rendering said operative connection inoperative as soon as said rear cover is opened, said predetermined position of the counter being maintained until the cover is closed and the nlm wound, a photographic shutter of the type provided with a tensioning member and a separate release member, means operated by said rotatable handle for actuating said shutter tensioning member to tension the shutter when said nlm is advanced, means controlled by said operative connecting means for locking said rotatable handle against further rotation in a nlm winding direction as soon as the nrst nlm section has been moved into a position for exposure, and means operated by said shutter release member when the same is actuated to unlock said rotatable handle, so that the same can be rotated to advance the next unexposed nlm section into a position for exposure and at the same time advance the exposure counter and tension the shutter.

4. In a photographic camera for rollnlm having a paper backing, the combination with a camera casing having nlm guiding means with indicating marks thereon and a separate rear cover, of indicating means on the rear face of the leading end of the paper backing of the rollnlm for adjusting the latter to a predetermined position in the 4camera by bringing said indicating marks in alinement with said indicating means before said rear cover is closed, a nlm take-up spool, manually operable means including a gearing for rotating said nlm take-up spool in one direction, an exposure counter, means for .operatively connecting said gearing with said exposure counter for operating the latter when said take-up spool is rotated by said manually operable means, means automatically setting said exposure counter to a predetermined position corresponding with the predetermined position for the nlm, means controlled by the cover for releasing the automatic means when the cover is open and for restraining said automatic means when the cover is closed, said cover controlled means rendering said operative connecting means operative to operate said exposure counter when said rear cover is closed and rendering said operative connection inoperative as soon as said rear cover is opened, said predetermined position or the counter being maintained until the cover is closed and the nlm wound, and means controlled by the manually operable means for releasing tlie automatic means when the manual means is operated to wind the trailing end of the paper backing up the take-up spool.

,ing connected therewith for rotating said nlm take-up spool in one direction, a rotatable exposure counter, means for operatively connecting said gearing with said exposure counter for operating the latter when said take-up spool is rotated by said manually rotatable handle. means automatically setting said exposure counter to a predetermined position corresponding with the predetermined position for the nlm. means controlled by the cover for releasing the automatic means when the cover is open and for restraining said automatic means when the cover is closed, said Vcover controlled means rendering said operative connecting means operative to operate said exposure counter when said rear cover is closed and rendering said operative connection inoperative as soon as said rear cover is opened, said predetermined position ot the counter being maintained until the cover is closed and the nim wound, and means controlled by the manually rotatable handle for releasing the automatic means to permit the exposure counter to return to its initial position when the entire rollnlm is exposed and said rotatable handle is operated to wind the trailing end of the paper backing upon the take-up spool.

6. In a photographic camera for rollnlm having a paper backing, the combination with a camera casing having nlm guiding meam with indicating marks thereon and a separate rear cover, of indicating means on the rear face of the leading end of the paper backing oi the rollnlm for adjusting the latter to a predetermined position in the camera by bringing said indicating marks in alinement with said indicating means before said rear cover is closed. a nlm take-up spool, a manually rotatable handle and a gearing connected therewith for rotating said nlm take-up spool in one direction, a rotatable exposure counter, means for operatively connecting said gearing with said exposure vcounter for operating the latter when said take-up spool is rotated by said manually rotatable handle, means automatically setting said exposure counter to a predetermined position corresponding with the predetermined position ior the nlm, means controlled by the cover for releasing the automatic means when the cover is open and for restraining said automatic means when the cover is closed, said cover controlled means rendering said operative connecting means operative to operate said exposure counter when said rear cover is closed and rendering said operative connection inoperative as soon as said. rear cover is opened, said predetermined position of the counter being maintained until the cover is closed and the nim wound, means for locking said rotatable handle against further rotation in a nlm winding direction as soon as the nrst section ot the nlm is moved into a position for exposure, a photographic shutter of the type having a tensioning member and a separate release member, and means operated by said shutter release member when the same is actuated to unlock said rotatable handle, so that the same can be rotated to advance the next film section into a position for exposure.

7. In a photographic camera for rolllm having a paper backing, the combination with a position in the camera by bringing said indicating marks in alinement with said indicating means before said rear cover is closed, a film take-up spool, a manually rotatable handle and a gearing connected therewith for rotating said film takeup spool in one direction, a rotatable exposure counter, means for operatively connecting said gearing with said exposure counter for operating the latter when said take-up spool is rotated by said manually rotatable handle, means automatically setting said exposure counter to a predetermined position corresponding with the predetermined position i or the film, means controlled by the cover for releasing the automatic means when the cover is open and for restraining said automatic means when the cover is closed, said cover controlled means rendering said operative connecting means operative to operate said exposurecounter when said rear cover is closed and rendering said operative connection inoperative as soon as said rear cover is opened, said predetermined position of the counter being maintained until the cover is closed and the iilm wound, a photographic shutter of the type provided with a tensioning member and a separate release member, means operated by said rotatable handle for actuating said shutter tensioning member to tension the shutter when said film is advanced, means controlled by said operative connecting means for locking said rotatable handle against further rotation in a lm winding direction as soon as the iirst film section has been moved into a position for exposure, means operated by said shutter release member when the same is actuated to unlock said rotatable handle, so that the same can be rotated to advance the next unexposed ilm Isection into a position for exposure and at the same time advance the exposure counter and tension the shutter.

8. In a photographic camera for rolliilm having a paper backing, the combination with a camera casing having film guiding means with indicating marks thereon and a separate rear cover, of indicating means on the rear face of the leading end of the paper backing of the rolllm for adjusting the latter to a predetermined position in the camera by bringing said indicating marks in alinement with said indicating means before said rear cover is closed, a film take-up spool, a manually rotatable handle and a gearing connected therewith for rotating said film take-up spool in one direction, a rotatable exposure counter, means for operatively connecting said gearing with said exposure counter for operating the latter when said take-up spool is rotated by said manually rotatable handle, means automatically setting said exposure counter to a predetermined position corresponding with the predetermined position forl the film, means controlled by the cover for releasing the automatic means when the cover is open and for restraining said automatic means when the cover is closed, said cover controlled means rendering said operative connecting means operative to operate said exposure counter when said rear cover is closed and rendering said opera;- tive connection inoperative as soon as said rear cover is opened, said predetermined position-of the counter being maintained until the cover is closed and the lilm wound, a photographic shutter including a tensioning member and a release member, a cam coaxially arranged with said rotatable handle and rotated by the latter, a pivotally mounted lever engaging said cam and koperated by the latter to operate the shutter tensioning member when the handle is operated to afivance the iilm, and a locking lever adapted to engage a shoulder on said cam and thereby limit the rotative movement of the handle when the iilm has been advanced the length of one picture, said locking lever being moved out of its locking position by the shutter release member when the latter is actuated to release the tensioned shutter.

9. In a photographic camera as claimed in claim 8, and means operated by said exposure counter after the last lm section has been exposed for maintaining said locking lever in its unlocked position to which it is shited during the following rotation of the handle, so that the trailing end of the iilm backing strip can be wound upon the take-up spool'.

10.. A photographic camera as claimed in claim 8, including means operated by said exposure counter after the last iilm section has been exposed for maintaining said locking lever in its unlocked position to which, it is-shifted during the following rotation of the handle, so that the trailing end of the lm backing strip can be wound upon the take-up spool, said last named means including a cam driven by said exposure counter, a control lever adapted to be actuated by said last named cam, and a holding pawl engaging said control lever when the latter is actuated by said last named cam, said control lever in the position in which it is engaged by said holding pawl engaging said locking lever and keeping the same out of operative position.

1l. In a photographic camera for rollfilm having a paper backing, the combination with a camera casing having film guiding means with indicating marks thereon and a separate rear cover, of indicating means on the rear face of the leading end of the paper backing of the rolliilm for adjusting the latter to a predetermined position in the camera by bringing said indicating marks in alinement with said indicating means before said rear cover is closed, a, film take-up spool, manually oscillatable handle and agearing connected therewith for rotating said film take-up spool in one direction, a rotatable exposure counter, means for operatively connecting said gearing with said exposure counter for operating the latter when said take-up spool is rotated by said manually oscillatable handle, means automatically setting said exposure counter to a predetermined position corresponding with the predetermined position for the nlm, means controlled by the cover for releasing the automatic means when the cover is open and for restraining said automatic means when the cover is closed, said cover controlled means rendering said operative connecting means operative to operate said exposure counter when said rear cover is closed and rendering said operative connection inoperative as soon as said rear cover is opened, said predetermined position of the counter being maintained until the cover is closed and the iilm wound, a photographic shutter including a tensioning member and a release member, a cam coaxially arranged with said oscillatable handle member when the latter 'is actuated to release the tensioned shutter, a ratchet device associated with said y.'tscillittable handle for preventing an incomplete movement of the handle in either direction, and means controlled by said rear cover for rendering said ratchet device inoperative when the rear cover is opened.

HEINZ KPPENBENDER. EUGEN JRG.

ERNST RALL. HEINRICH JACOB. 

